The historic South Street Gallery building has sold to a couple who plan to convert it into a home, marking the end of an era for Nelson pottery.
The character, two-storey Victorian house, built in the mid 1860s, was on the market for just a few hours before it was snapped up by a Christchurch couple.
It has been home to South Street Gallery, an exhibition space for the region’s potters, since Mike Rogers bought it in 1977.
10 Nile Street West
- Built in the mid-1860s by carpenter George Hooper.
- The site was originally known as Town Acre 456.
- The new buyers will be the fifth owners in more than 150 years.
- South St is regarded as New Zealand’s oldest fully-preserved street.
- Other cottages built in the area around the same time were simple abodes for fishermen, tradesmen and their families.
- South St was recognised as a special historic precinct by the Nelson City Council in 1983 after residents raised concerns about potential development of the area.
The new buyers take over the property on April 4, but Rogers said he will probably shut up shop at the end of the month.
(The Nelson Mail, Tuesday, February 14th, 2017)
The last year has brought Nelson house prices to a record high, increasing by $95,000 since January 2016.
The latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) figures have confirmed a year-long trend in rising house prices for Nelson, with media house prices up 25 per cent since last January.
The new median house price across the Nelson Marlborough region has reached the record high of $470,000, which is just below the national average of $490,000. The median price last year was $375,000.
House prices have risen 31 per cent in Richmond, 24 per cent in Nelson, and 17 per cent in Marlborough and Kaikoura, while number of sales across the region fell 22 per cent in January, compared with December.
REINZ Chief Executive Bindi Norwell said first home buyers were facing more competition from other buyers, leading to intense competition in some price brackets. ‘‘Investor interest from outside the region remains strong,’’ she said.
Summit Real Estate Stoke Branch Manager Wayne Lloyd said they haven’t had any trouble getting people to attend open homes.
He said nearly every property was going under multiple offers which meant prices were holding firm and increasing.
Lloyd said as long as there was limited supply the prices wouldn’t be dropping anytime soon.
Of the 12 regions across the country, Nelson Marlborough sits alongside Hawke’s Bay as one of two regions to hit record highs in January.
Hawke’s Bay median prices are up 16 per cent to $366,000.
(The Nelson Mail, Thursday, February 16th, 2017)
All a young Motueka family asks for is a home.
The family of six has to shift out of their orchard accommodation next Friday and are considering moving out of town to find a suitable rental.
Less than 10 Motueka rental properties were advertised on websites on Thursday. They ranged for a two-bedroom home for $300 to a four bedroom home for $500.
The situation was compounded for those looking for housing by changing Government policy and criteria, particularly with Housing NZ and Work and Income.
Motueka’s housing crises are driven by the area being a strong holiday destination, its attraction to those moving from other countries and its fluctuating migrant seasonal workforce.
(The Nelson Mail, Friday, February 17th, 2017)
Even if I knew that tomorrow
the world would go to pieces,
I would still plant my apple tree.
Martin Luther